The Clinton Campaign Expected to Get Trounced in New Hampshire, Isn't Worried About It

Not long after it became abundantly clear that Bernie Sanders would handily win Tuesday’s primary, in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager, Robby Mook, released a memo to “interested parties” explaining very deliberately and carefully why the former Secretary of State has nothing to worry about, nothing at all.

Actually, Mook writes, Clinton’s narrow victory in Iowa and devastating loss in New Hampshire hasn’t come as a surprise to anyone. In fact, it is “an outcome we’ve long anticipated.”

From the memo:

At the same time as we are competing aggressively in Nevada and South Carolina, it’s important to understand why the campaign is investing so much time, energy and resources in states with primaries and caucuses in March. The reason is simple: while important, the first four states represent just 4% of the delegates needed to secure the nomination; the 28 states that vote (or caucus) in March will award 56% of the delegates needed to win.

And whereas the electorates in Iowa and New Hampshire are largely rural/suburban and predominantly white, the March states better reflect the true diversity of the Democratic Party and the nation – including large populations of voters who live in big cities and small towns, and voters with a much broader range of races and religions.

Mook hits this point repeatedly. “It will be very difficult, if not impossible, for a Democrat to win the nomination without strong levels of support among African American and Hispanic voters,” he writes. Clinton “has maintained a wide double digit lead over Sen. Sanders among minority voters in national surveys and in states where African American and Hispanic voters make up a large share of the electorate.”

“That type of support was not created overnight; it has been forged over more than 40 years of fighting for and alongside communities of color. They know her, trust her and are excited about her candidacy.”

He goes on to explain the campaign’s “data-driven approach to maximizing delegates.” Riveting stuff!

Incidentally, Politico reported yesterday that the Clinton campaign was considering a “shake-up.” So, even if Clinton doesn’t have anything to worry about after tonight—really!!!—Mook might.